Hegseth warns ‘threat China poses is real’

From CNN. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Asia’s premier defense forum in Singapore, delivered a dire warning to the world: China’s designs on Taiwan pose a threat to global peace and stability that requires “our allies and partners do their part on defense.” While Hegseth made clear that Washington does not seek conflict…

Georgia teen detained by ICE gets support from GOP lawmaker

From CNN. Ximena Arias Cristobal, a 19-year-old college student, was mistakenly pulled over while driving in Dalton, Georgia on May 5. Her arrest led to a federal immigration hold and ICE to detain Arias for more than two weeks. Republican state representative Kasey Carpenter wrote a letter calling for Arias’ release and for Congress to…

South Carolina voter says ‘no’ to moving center

From CNN. South Carolina has often bucked the electoral trend – voting for candidates who lost in Iowa or New Hampshire and thus helping pick which candidate will move on to the general election. CNN’s Jeff Simon spoke to multiple voters at a Democrat dinner in Columbia, South Carolina about the party’s leadership and future.…

Mixed economic news after latest surprise Trump tariff

From CNN. President Trump announced a surprise 50% tariff on imported steel, while also celebrating a deal between US Steel and Nippon Steel despite it not being finalized. Americans also reined in their consumer spending in April, as inflation was very close to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target rate. CNN’s Camila DeChalus and Vanessa Yurkevich…

Trump announces steel tariffs are increasing to 50%

From CNN. President Donald Trump announced that steel tariffs will be increasing to 50%, doubling the current rate, during remarks at a US Steel plant outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The president initially imposed sweeping 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imported into the United States in March. #CNN #News

GOP senator pressed on Medicaid in heated town hall

From CNN. GOP Sen. Joni Ernst faced concerns from town hall attendees over potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs as a result of President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, saying at one point, “Well, we all are going to die,” and insisting that those who are eligible for Medicaid will continue to receive…

Elon Musk exits government role

From CNN. Elon Musk ensured he will remain “a friend and an advisor" to the Trump administration as he announced the end of his time as a special government employee, during which Musk oversaw DOGE’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce as part of efforts to slash US federal spending. Musk delivered a farewell speech…

e.l.f. Beauty raises prices by $1 due to tariffs

From CNN. E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin speaks to CNN about why the company is increasing prices by $1 across its entire portfolio on August 1. On Wednesday, the cosmetic company announced it bought Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, rhode, for $1 billion. Amid President Donald Trump’s chaotic trade war with China, e.l.f. hopes the acquisition…

Russian military figure killed in explosion

From CNN. Zaur Aleksandrovich Gurtsiev, a veteran of Moscow’s war in Ukraine was killed in an explosion in Stavropol, which was “committed using a homemade explosive device,” according to investigators. Gurtsiev had taken part in the “Time of Heroes” program, promoting veterans of the war to official positions in the government. CNN’s Matthew Chance reports.

Anonymous ‘Diddy’ employee testifies alleging sexual assault

From CNN. Prosecutors called a witness identified as “Mia,” a pseudonym being used in court to protect her identity, to the stand Thursday at the federal criminal trial for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Mia, a former assistant for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, described what she called a “chaotic” and “toxic” work environment, testifying that Combs committed acts…

Appeals court pauses ruling that blocked Trump’s tariffs

From CNN. A federal appeals court has paused Wednesday night’s ruling from the Court of International Trade that blocked President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit also ordered that both sides provide written arguments on the question of the blocking of Trump’s tariffs, to be filed by early…

Desperate scenes at community kitchen in northern Gaza

From CNN. Chaotic scenes broke out at this community-run kitchen in Gaza City, in the north, as Palestinians desperate for a meal rushed to receive food. More than 2 million Palestinians have been pushed towards famine after an 11-week blockade on aid by Israel. US and Israeli-backed aid distribution centers have only been opened in…